Doing - Iterations / Jeffery Saddoris (Sun 24 Jun 2018)

abstract - Greenfield Park / Sydney (Sun 10 Jun 2018)

Jeffery Saddoris on Doing:

We need to rethink the word perfect and replace it with purposeful or deliberate - purposeful practice - deliberate practice. Perfect suggests there are no mistakes and it is in the mistakes that provide the opportunity to learn. Practicing deliberately on the other hand means looking beyond simply going through the motions of a particular task or skill, and instead breaking it down into where and more importantly why we are not getting the results we want or expect.

In the same way watching is the flip side of doing, failure is the catalyst to practice. Failure shows us where the holes are - whether that is a hole in a swing, a hole in our game or a hole in our thinking. But it does not happen in a vacuum and it is not binary. Failure is the evidence of doing. And failure just like success is an opportunity for reflection in order to fine tune where to direct our next efforts. When we embrace the missteps we are given the opportunity to see what worked and what did not work in the doing and as a result we can build a more purposeful or deliberate practice moving forward.

via The catalyst to practice (listen to from here) by Jeffery Saddoris.

If You Want To - Seth Godin (Tue 19 Jul 2016)

I want to .. I am .. - Library / Glebe (Wed 20 Jul 2016)

Seth Godin on If You Want To:

anyone with a $300 laptop can use the very same tools as the people at the top of just about any industry. [..]

If you want to learn, do research, make a ruckus... your local library has access to the same tools as you'll find in a skyscraper in a big company.

via The very same software by Seth Godin.

I've realised this for a long time and now I have the opportunity to make something of it here at the Glebe Library. Really making some great progress with everything that Seth mentions in his post - The very same software - and I am excited about what I am creating.

The Wheel of Life - Vivian Maier / Tintin Törncrantz (Thu 09 Jun 2016)

Statues - White Rabbit Gallery / Chippendale (Sat 11 Jun 2016)

Vivian Maier on The Wheel of Life:

We have to make room for other people. It’s a wheel – you get on, you go to the end, and someone else has the same opportunity to go to the end, and so on, and somebody else takes their place. There’s nothing new under the sun.

via Spain : Miss Maier by Tintin Törncrantz - The Eye of Photography by Tintin Törncrantz.

On Change - The Story of Telling (Mon 02 Nov 2015)

Jenny and Geoff - Cape Leveque / Western Australia (Tue 08 May 2001)

The Story of Telling on Change:

the most important driver of change is the willingness to make it happen

via The Opportunity Equation (02 Nov 2015) by The Story of Telling (Berndatte Jiwa).

Most times change is optional - you do or don't do something about it and it is a theme that has appeared here many times over the last 6.5 years. Sometimes change is foisted upon you without choice and often without notice. Again it is up to to you decide whether to do something about it - to become a victim or a survivor. Or you can just try to ignore it somehow, but it will always catch up with you, so this is not a great option. Often it is best to take a little timeout to acknowledge the change, if you can. Ultimately, it is up to you to make the difficult steps to keep moving forward from the place you landed.

On Anxiety and Growth - Reframing your Thoughts - Patrick McHugh (Sun02 Aug 2015)

Water - La Perouse (Mon 22 Jul 2002)

Patrick McHugh on Anxiety and Growth:

Some can be paralyzed by their feelings. Is the key to look at every situation that produces anxiety for us as an opportunity to grow?

Reframing ones feelings is often the best way I have found to help me deal with issues of anxiety and thus can be a great coaching tool.

via Checking in from the Airport by Patrick McHugh.

On the Verge of Success and Failure - Garry Winogrand / Mason Resnick / Trent Parke / Spencer Lum

Eros - Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain / Piccadilly Circus / London (Fri 12 Sep 2014)

Garry Winogrand on Art, Success and Failure:

the most successful art is almost on the verge of failure

via Coffee and Workprints: A Workshop With Garry Winogrand by Mason Resnick.

A favourite quote, from the many I've collected here over the years. I like it because it is so true in Art and Photography, but also Paddling and Life.

I am reminded of it every now and then in my own life, through my photography and paddling experiences. And today was one of those days ...

The Sun rose over the City skyline as we did our Thursday morning high intensity session in two, six person outrigger canoes. We do short interval efforts (level 4, level 4+) over repeat efforts of 8, 4, 2 and 1 minute. It's at a pace and intensity that can be maintained for these short time periods which is a bit higher than our race pace intensity (level 3) which we maintain for much longer periods.

We are pushing ourselves at Level 4 and the rhythm in the canoe is often not quite as nice as it would be at level 3 or 2. Our effort and technique is on the edge, on "the verge of failure or breaking down".

As I reflect over a 10 year paddling career, I have found that the best Training Sessions and Races have been the ones where everything is just a little out of control and uncomfortable. It's like a being on a knife edge or the edge of a precipices. It's that boundary between the known and unknown, good and bad, success and failure, and courage and fear (thanks Kayleene). And ultimately, the fault line between our past and future (thanks for that one Chantel).

It can be stressful and can feel like a feisty prickly relationship. A disonnance. And often questions and self-doubts rise to the surface.

When you are on the edge, you are pushing yourself to the limit of your abilities and beyond. And, with that comes the risk that you push too far and fail, or you just find that easy comfort zone and also fail through a lost effort and opportunity.

Disappointment may come with the failure, but if you reflect and abstract a learning, then you are more experienced and capable for the next effort. And often, as Trent Parke succinctly notes:

mistakes and accidents usually lead to the best discoveries.

You are learning, broadening your experiences and creating the future opportunity for "successful art", if you keep caring and trying.

I love that feeling of "being on the edge of failure". Instead of fighting it, try to find it and some comfort in the uncomfort, and in the knowledge that this is, as Spencer Lum astutely notes:

where all the good stuff happens

As Jenny said, Give it a try, step outside of your comfort zone. You might be surprised where it can take you ...

Don't wonder 'What if?' - Jenny P

On Failure - I Wrote this for You (Tue 30 Jun 2015)

Self Portrait - The Photographer - Ultimo (Wed 01 Jul 2015)

I Wrote this for You on Failure:

You fail with your heart on your sleeve.

You fail like you mean it with every part of you.

You fail attempting the impossible and the ridiculous.

You fail in front of others and you fail and they laugh at you and you fail and you feel nothing and regret less.

You fail sincerely and earnestly and you risk everything at every opportunity.

This is how you fail: You fail beautifully. You fail with grace.

via The Millions Ways To Fail by I Wrote this for You.

An amazing piece of writing. Passionate, powerful and, oddly enough, incredibly Inspiring. To be a must, and often read post.

On Instagram - Stephen Shore / ASX (Tue 30 Dec 2014)

Nibbles - Ealing / London (Sat 13 Sep 2014)
Stephen Shore (*) writes on Instagram (*):

One thing is it’s fun. I like the quality of conversation that goes on, where there’s a group of people who I know are looking at my posts every day, or whenever I do it, and I in turn am looking at theirs, eagerly, waiting to see what they post. And it’s a very different kind of communication than what goes on in a book or a gallery, where you just put the work out there and there’s no sense of dialogue.

via Stephen Shore ‘Likes’ Instagram (*) by Stephen Shore (*).

Happy with my little nook here on the Internet. No need for regular viewers or constant feedback. I had that opportunity on photo.net (*) a long time ago - well before Flickr (*) and Instagram. I learnt a lot, but mainly watched. Not really my thing. It's too hard to be engaging in critiquing and providing insightful feedback. Might be lazy or untalented (*), it's just who I am. I don't expecting to be signing up to Instagram in the near future.

On Photobooks and Inspiration - Eric Kim (Tue 07 Oct 2014)

East London Swimmers (*) / Madeleine Waller (*) - The Photographers Gallery (*) (Sun 13 Sep 2014)
Eric Kim (*) on Photobooks (*) and Inspiration (*):

the purpose of a [photo]book is to educate and inspire you.

via On Opportunity Costs in Street Photography (*) by Eric Kim (*).

A fantastic book which I bought a few weeks before our big trip (*). So simple but so effective. It inspired us to go (*). Found a beautiful wildflower meadow (*) on the way. Surprising where a Photobook will take you, if you let it.

Geoff by Jo - London Fields Lido (*) / Hackney (Sat 12 Sep 2014)

On Photographic Projects - Trent Parke (Wed 27 Aug 2014)

Untitled - Milan Station (Aug 2005)
Untitled - Milan Station (Thu 28 Aug 2014)
Trent Parke (*) writes On Projects (*):

Most of my projects last for years. I don’t feel I can achieve anything worth saying in a few weeks in a place. I have always been interested in why I am drawn to something and why I eventually push the camera button. Most of it comes from memory, the subconscious and events I experienced growing up.

via An interview with Trent Parke - Try Hard Magazine (*) by Try Hard Magazine (*).

Both stops in Milan (*) were short (about an hour) and these were quick shots taken with baggage in hand, explaining the wonkiness of each photo. I always remembered the 2005 photo and see it often amongst my favourite photos (*) on Picasa.

In 2005 (*) were heading north to Interlarken (*) from Genoa (*) and Jenny was with us. This time we heading to Bologna (*) from Zurich (*).

The Canon Pro1 (*) I used in 2005 has always been my favourite camera and the sensor gave beautiful textured and coloured images [see here (*)]. It was definitely a quirky camera, but my favourite.

It stopped working in January 2009 on our last Main Range (*) walk with Jenny. An omen of sorts I should think. It's last few images were ghostly white with faint silhouette's of Jenny and Joanne at the Summit (*) of Mt K.

I have said it few times here over the years, when I have talked about past photos, I think I saw my photos better back then. I was less knowledgeable and more naive. In some ways it has helped me understand what Bono (*) was trying to say in front of large crowd of fans at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge (*) looking into Manhattan (*) when he said (*) it was about:

a time in our lives when we did not know how powerful it was not to know.

Finally, as Trent's quote from above mentions, I think these two photos are about memory (*) and the subconscious (*). They are also about change - even though nothing really looks that different about the roofs, nine years have passed and so much has changed. Maybe that's what I was trying to say here (*) about change (*) before we departed.

So, I am happy to have these two photo, the opportunity to make them and these random thoughts here now.

The seven sins of a specifier - Bertrand Meyer / IEEE SOFTWARE (Jan 1985)

On Formalism in Specifications (*)
Bertrand Meyer (*), University Of California, Santa Barbara
IEEE SOFTWARE, January 1985
The seven sins of a specifier:

• Noise: The presence in the text of an element that does not carry information relevant to any feature of the problem. Variants: redundancy; remorse.


• Silence: The existence of a feature of the problem that is not covered by any element of the text.


• Overspecification: Thc presence in the text or an element that corresponds not to a feature of the problem but to features of a possible solution.


• Contradiction: The presence in the text of two or more elements that define a feature of the system in an incompatible way.


• Ambiguity: The presence in the text of an element that makes it possible to interpret a feature of the problem in at least two different ways.


• Forward reference: The presence in the text of an clcment that uses features of the problem not defined until later in the text.


• Wishful thinking: The presence in the text of an element that defines a feature of the problem in such a way that a candidate solution cannot realistically be validated with respect to this feature.

I had an opportunity, this week, to reflect on this paper and these basic points on writing a clear and concise specification. They have remained with me since first reading the Paper in the early 1990's. A formative Paper for some one like me who has always struggled to write clearly and concisely.

Bertrand also introduced me to Object-oriented software construction (*) and the The Eiffel Programming Language (*), an elegant way to construct software, that I use everyday to great advantage. Many thanks to Bertrand, who helped equip me with the skills to achieve more than I could have otherwise.

On Belief and Effort - Sports Are 80 Percent Mental (Sun 15 Dec 2013)

Jo, Cath and Geoff with Jenny's Paddle - SIRC / Penrith (Sun 15 Dec 2013)
Sports Are 80 Percent Mental (*) writes On Belief (*) and Effort (*):

As long as you believe (*) that you still have something left, your brain (*) will believe (*) you.

via Positive Self Talk Can Boost Your Athletic Endurance (*) by Sports Are 80 Percent Mental (*).

Cath was this years recipient (*) of the Pacific Dragons (*) Inspire Award (*) Dedicated to the Memory (*) of our Jenny (*). It was exciting to have the opportunity to make this photo at Penrith yesterday. So pleased and excited for you Cath. Congratulations again.

On Constraint and Design - Kevin McCloud - SMH Spectrum (Sat 12 Oct 2013)

The eljeiffel House - Handover Day - Alexandria (Mon 14 Oct 2013)
Kevin McCloud (*) writes On Design (*):

When you're in a hole with no money, you have to be creative (*).

He astutely adds:

Money is an enemy of good design (*) because it stops people thinking (*)

via Broken dreams and home truths (*) by Andrew Taylor (*).

The same can be said when working with a small space. It forces good design and it amazing to watch a great architect (thanks Kerry) create space out of nowhere.

A new life starts today for a beautiful old house that is just on 106 years old. The space is small but it feels big.

This project was something I had never planned for, but life always presents challenges and opportunities we can't predetermine, one of the beauties of life, if you chose it to be.

Once the decision was made, a lot of thought, planning and effort has been put in to get to this point.

While it is a little sad to see bits of the old go, it feels the right thing to do and it is exciting to bring new life to a solid foundation.

May we, who have accepted this challenge and opportunity, be blessed with good fortune to make it happen with a smile on our face.

Looking forward to the 7 month transition that will give you the opportunity to provide another 100 years of sanctuary to whoever seeks haven under your roof.

Let the renovations begin.

Adam Goodes Talk - Auroras 2013 Team Captains Announcement - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)

Auroras 2013 Team Captains Announcement - Adam Goodes Talk - Dragon Boat YouTube (*) Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam Goodes (*) talks to the Sydney based Australian Dragon Boat Team Members, the 2013 Auroras.

It was a few weeks before we flew out to Hungary for our final training camp in Gyor (*) and then onto Szeged (*) a few days later, for the World Championships.

It was an amazing moment. To think that Adam would come down to say a few words to us.

You knew it was special at the time. But today, looking at this video, it made me realise how special it was. Thanks Adam. You are a Gentleman, a Champion and represent everything that which we aspire to as people and paddlers.

Following Adam's Talk, Kel announced the 2013 Aurora Divisional Team Leaders and overall Team Captains. As each was named, Adam presented the Sydney based Leaders and Captains with a Plaque which acknowledges each persons achievements in being selected to their position.

Finally, Kel thanked Adam for making time to see us, following which he was presented a plaque to remember his time with us. Needless to say, Adam was more than happy to spend a bit of time speaking to us individually and to make a few photos. See below.

Here is my humble efforts to transcribe what Adam said..

Kel suggested I come down here to see you guys who are going off to represent your country which I think is fantastic.

I do like to give back to community as much as possible and thought this was great opportunity.

You know this is not a sport that I am involved with. A sport which I have never tried before, but

[.. from the crowd .. we have got a spare seat. ]

I would hate to kick somebody out of their spot.

It is a fantastic thing, whether, you know, it's your first time representing Australia or whether you have been doing it for so many years as a Master. It is always the same. You have got that Green and Gold.

I have played for Australia four times, I have captained Australia in 2011 over in Ireland at the International Series there.

I didn't really feel what it was like to be a patriot to my Country until I represnted Australia. To see the Americans and how patriotic they are about the flag and everything.

It's not until you represent Australia and you are going away from Australian shores to do it that you actually feel how proud I am about the Country I come from, the Country I am representing and the people that we are.

Look at how diverse we all are just looking at us right now.

It is fantastic that we can go away and represent Australia and give our best. I think that is what being Australian is all about is giving our best.

You are also doing it for ..

The main reason I wanted to come down here today for you guys is to give you a pat on the back. Wish you good luck.

You know it is a fantastic opportunity to ..

You know I have never been to Hungary before. It is a great opportunity to see a different Country. Embrace their culture. Learn somehting new. But also, let them embrace our culture as well. Let them see what Australian people are like.

Have fun. You know, win, lose or draw, you are over there to enjoy yourself.

Get to know people on a different level. Travel together. I know the boys don't like travelling with me because I am a bit of a snorer.

[.. from the crowd - much laughter ..]

I dont have a problem with it, ..

but enjoy, have fun and go and do us proud.

That is the great thing about representing your Country.

It is what it is all about. Good luck.

[.. from the crowd - applause.]

Here are a few photos from the day. Thanks Adam and of course, Kel, for asking Adam.
Adam - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam and Sydney-based Auroras 2013 Leadership Team - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam and Jo - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)
Adam, Jo and Geoff - Bank Street / Pyrmont (Sat 29 Jun 2013)

On Chris Horner - Chris Horner -.Ian Chadband / Telegraph (Sun 15 Sep 2013)

Cheers - Madrid (Sat 10 Aug 2013)
Chris Horner (*) talks On Chris Horner (*):

I keep reading that that Horner is in the best form of his career. This is not the best form of my career. I have won 80 races in my career. Maybe I haven’t had the opportunity to show it in a grand tour before but I’ve always been underrated throughout my career. I’ve not been given the responsibility when I think I should have.

via Vuelta a 'España 2013, stage 21: RadioShack-Leopard's Chris Horner, 41, becomes oldest ever grand tour winner (*) by Ian Chadband (*.

On Randomness - Seth Godin (Sun 26 May 2013)

Untitled Random Photo -Tokyo (Fri 22 Sep 2012)
Seth Godin (*) writes On Randomness (*):

there's a lot more randomness (*) in the world than we'd care to admit.

He elaborates:

There are two things to be done with that fact.

1. The first is to identify the few things that do happen for a reason and learn (*) from them, as opposed to ignoring the available lesson. When cause and effect is at work, figuring out the cause is the single best way to manage the effect.


2. And the second is to take the (essentially) random (*) events and choose to respond (as opposed to an overreaction). The big opportunity is to figure out how to take advantage of the change (*) that was just handed to us, even if it wasn't for us, about us, or what we were hope (*) for.

via Does it happen for a reason? (*) by Seth Godin (*).

On Performance - Drew Ginn (Mon 24 Dec 2012)

Uniform Top Swap Buddy - The racing was done and the "high pressure" uniform swapping process was in full swing. They had paddled with the USA U23 team and were from Philidelphia. His 16 year old twin brother had already made a swap for an Australian top, so I was more than happy to make sure he did not miss out / one of those great moments in life and paddling for someone like me, who has been around a while - 2011 World Dragon Boat Championships / Tampa (Sun 11 Sep 2011)
After a 16 year career of international performance, the recently retired Drew Ginn (*), made a summary of his personal views On Performance (*). He starts out with the a succient and general summary of his learnings (*):

to compete there needs to be a certain level of conditioning reached through quantity and targeted intensity while maintain integrity of movement effectiveness and harmony.

From which he expands:

Now there is heaps in all that but suffice to say if you do the work, row effectively and are ready for the event then it becomes easier.

Thats not to say its easy to do but rather the flow, process and deliver can be uncomplicated and then the depth of effort can be reached which can put athletes into that state. The state where it takes everything they have while the realisation emerges that it was less hard and not as difficult as previously thought or perceived.

So simply work to make it easier. Focus to help it flow and push to let it happen. Under do it and you feel guilty, over do it and frustration appears and so to get it just right is the key. The flexion point between effort and ease, tension and relaxation, concentration and letting go, its all a fine line and to learn & master is where art form meets science.

Finally then with out the work your not in the game. With out the efficient your unable to make the most of the opportunity. Then with out being ready for the nature of the big event all can be lost in the blur and intensity of what rises on the day. To seize the day requires all three elements to be developed, stimulated and firing.

Been following Drew's Blog (*) since March 2007 and through it I have watched him through two Olympic Games, three World Championships, back surgery after Beijing, a short and successful bike road racing career and his comeback to rowing.

For myself, he has inspired me through three World Dragon Boat Championships, two Asian Dragon Boat Championships, and three World Club Crew DB Championships and countless Local and National events. I think I have just about experienced everything in paddling, though I am not so sure (*) on that - which is something I have learnt from life and I think is a good thing.

His writings make sense to me and I can relate to much of what he has written and shared with us. In short, he is a role model to me and I think he has helped shape who I am as a paddler and a person. He has influenced me in how I train, race, and behave on and off the water. In fact, it was Drew's blog [along with Vern's (*), who is someone Drew can learn from as he moves forward with his coaching career] that helped me get started (*) here almost four years ago.

The above piece of writing at the end of his long and successful career as a rower, is a brilliant summary of what it is all about. He will take all of this into his new career as a coach. All the best Drew.

With thanks .. Geoff

History is .. - Brooks Jensen / LensWork Daily (Fri 01 Jun 2012)

A dragonfly flitted in front of me .. (*) - Hiroshima Memorial Museum / Japan (Sun 16 Sep 2012)
Brooks Jensen (*) writes On The Past (*):

History is important

• history is inspiration;


• history is a foundation on which we stand;


• history is an opportunity to learn from the wisdom of others so that we don't have to make their same mistakes;


• history is a background that informs our work.

via Our Place in History (*) in Random Thoughts (*) by Brooks Jensen (*).

Brook has a way with words and these caught my attention when looking through his Random Thoughts Archive (*) today. I have a few photos that remind me of history and the photo above is one of the most powerful of the incomprehendible. At least for me anyway. On Hiroshima, I can't put it any better than Beth Nicholls (*) who writes (*):

It doesn’t bear thinking about, and yet it is something we all need to think about it. The Hiroshima Memorial Museum is a painful eye opener that I wish every single one of us could visit. It is hard to think that we were ever at war with Japan, but even so, it is one history lesson we must not forget.”

Found via a quick Google Blog Search (*).

On Faliure, Success and Not Showing Up - Aline Smithson (Dec 2012)

Yoshi Jones (*) [1] - Bucknell St / Newtown (Mon 31 Dec 2012)
Aline Smithson (*) writes On Failure (*) and On Success (*):

It’s OK to fail.

You learn more from failure, than from success.

It becomes a time to take stock and reassess.

Success is fleeting anyway...it’s all about being true to yourself and making the best work possible.

And often, your best work rises from the ashes of failure, when you change directions.

where she adds:

It’s OK not to show up [..] to every opportunity.

via it’s ok to step back from the roar of the crowd (*) by Aline Smithson (*).

[1] Always something interesting on the side wall of Yoshi Jones (*). Have a few others here that I will link up with the Yoshi Jones Label (*), in my own time of course.

Onward Forward - To the Summit - 6th Step / Mt Fuji (Wed 19 Sep 2012)

Onward Forward - To the Summit - 6th Step / Mt Fuji (Wed 19 Sep 2012)
We asked whether they would take our photo, which they kindly did. And then Jo took a photo of them on one of their own camera's, where I had the opportunity to capture this photo.

The 6th step is about 6km on track and about 1km in elevation from the Summit. We had to turn around here (we had a tight schedule on buses and trains to get back to Tokyo that evening), but they were continuing on to the Summit from here.

I think it would be possible to reach the Summit from Tokyo and back again in a day. Just not sure how we would handle the higher elevations and change in oxygen levels that goes with it.

A day for all to remember and a Mt Fuji summit is definitely on the agenda when we return to Japan sometime soon. A few Mt Fuji photos to follow.